damned_institute | Night 56: Entry Room

[ From here. ]

Deserted.

Regardless, Lightning took several steps into the large room, looking about and listening intently. Most importantly though, she was also trying to get a feel for the air there. She remembered quite clearly how it had seemed her first and second nights, how someone else going through ahead of her had caused the oppressive air inside to be stirred slightly, and figured that would be the best way for her to tell if anyone had already beat her out the door.

However, that didn't seem to be the case here, and as far as she could tell without walking all the way over to it, the entrance at the other end of the room hadn't yet been opened. Taking a hasty step backward, Lightning was quick to retrace where she'd come from as soon as she was sure of the possibility being struck out--

And then the sound of static from the radio trapped in her jacket, harsh and almost deafeningly loud in the darkened silence, nearly caused the already wound-tight l'Cie a heart attack then and there. Pressing her lips together in annoyance, she moved to retrieve the thing, immediately recognizing the first voice and then...

... That was-- was that the 'head doctor?'

Now almost outright scrambling, she quickly lifted the radio to not far from her face, first bending her head so that pieces of her pale hair fell forward as she listened, then promptly shaking it back, turning her back to the wall and leaning there, determined to keep an eye on her surroundings at the same time despite her surprise.

Much of the message went right over the ex-soldier's head still, but... they were working together- not even a child could miss that. Shaking her head in disgust, she started putting the noisy device back in the jacket pocket almost before the broadcast had come to an end.

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Ted pushed open the doors, bracing himself for any sudden monster attacks There had been no sign of them outside the door, but there could still be some lurking about, waiting to eat him and Tolten for dinner. Ted didn't think they tasted that good, and that partaking of their flesh would just lead to some unrighteous tummyaches - not to mention that it was way too late for dinner - but he had no idea how actual monsters thought.

But the doors opened with no event. Ted shone the flashlight in, squinting into the shadows.

He shrugged. "Looks safe, dude," he said.

Tolten peered over Ted's shoulder, searching the darkness for some sign of danger. But there appeared to be nothing, and the young king let out a small sigh of relief. So far no true danger had presented itself.

"You know..." he ventured, keeping a firm grip on his torch, "I've only ever known one other person who uses that word." And he wasn't even sure what it mean, other than some sort of synonym for 'man' which Tolten didn't know the connotations to. It was somewhat comforting, but mostly it was something distracting.

Another pair entered the entryway, albeit Tear was grateful they appeared significantly less aggressive than the first. Since their movements were neutral, she opted for the formal approach. Here again was the hope they would take her advice and not push for her force.

Once again, she stepped away from the shadows, her weapon at rest. Despite the affable front, the young woman seemed unmovable in her stance. "I'm sorry, but this area is restricted. I will have to ask you to leave."

Ted jumped at the appearance of the young woman, a little startled at the sudden voice. But she looked harmless enough, and kind of cute. He beamed at her. "We're totally trying to leave this place," he assured her. "That's why we're here! Is there a way out?"

He noticed the weapon. That was a nice looking stick, he thought with appreciation.

Something was...odd. Tolten hung behind Ted, wetting his lips nervously. Who was this woman? Why was this area restricted? And if it was so restricted, how had the two of them simply ended up there?

It didn't escape his notice that the woman was armed. She'd made no overt threats with her weapon, but...well... it was possible. It was also possible that she could escort them out of here. That seemed to be what Ted was hoping, and Tolten didn't blame him. If they could just get beyond the building and to something familiar....

One proved friendly, if a tad excitable, while the other appeared quiet. Neither seemed bent on a battle. This was acceptable to Tear, although it did nothing to relax. She still had to be the proper guard, after all. "This is one of the exits," she started. "Unfortunately, we've had to seal all entryways due to the miasma outside. It will be dangerous for everyone involved if the doors are opened."

Hopefully, that would get the point across. The explanation was as straightforward as any; if they still could not understand the situation, then... "I would highly advise both of you to stay indoors for tonight."

"But we want to get out," Ted explained, wondering what 'miasma' meant. Miasma, he thought. Me-as-ma. Maybe she had a dangerous mother-version of herself outside. "We're trying to escape," he added, as clarification. "We totally didn't plan to stay the night, and I think we should be able to deal with you-as-ma if we encounter her."

Maybe if she gave them her stick...

Tolten actually nodded at the explanation. He'd so far avoided encountering any deadly miasmas, despite how many strange caves, ancient temples and cursed forests he'd been dragged through. But from what he'd heard, he'd narrowly missed them all.

"Oh, I'm not certain..." He offered, stepping forward a moment. "I'll admit I've been lucky enough to avoid miasmas and plagues and effluvium as yet, but I have heard terrible stories. Flesh melting from bone, a sickness that renders the limbs immobile and stone until the organism can surround and devour... apparently the nephew of a friend was taken by one and had his life force drained!" He frowned, obviously disturbed at the thought. Oh, Mack had been fine in the end, as far as Tolten could see, but he certainly never spoke about what had happened.

"Perhaps theres another way?" Underground tunnels or secret passages or a train or a transporter. It would be silly not to have those things, really, in a building this large.

Even in the fact of absolute danger, someone was always impatient to get out. Tear had to keep herself from launching into a long, embittered chastisement about the virtues of cautious investigation. Fortunately, the older man knew of the dangers of miasma and the like, saving everyone from having to give or listen to a lecture. She turned to him, obviously grateful for his interjection.

"It's not quite as bad as that, fortunately," Tear began, "but it is still problematic when inhaled for long stretches of time." Here, she glanced at the younger. "Miasma is poisonous gas. In small doses, it isn't deadly and can be treated, but in larger, consistent doses, miasma can be a serious problem. And the concentration outside this door is higher than most they've ever seen."

Who were "they"? She couldn't remember, suddenly. Tear thought she should find the lack of detail odd, but it seemed no longer important. The soldier shook her head and continued, "I'm not sure if there is a way out without running into the miasma. Honestly, I would recommend staying inside for now until it clears."

Poisonous gas. Ted at least knew what that meant, and wondered why she couldn't have just said so from the start.

"If we run really fast and hold our breaths, we could get through it without inhaling too much," he suggested hopefully. "Or we could use gas masks. Do you have gas masks?"

He'd always wanted to try on a gas mask. He thought they looked awesome. Kind of like Darth Vader. Ted grinned.

Tolten shifted his weight awkwardly, watching the exchange with an anxious expression. He didn't like the idea of trying to make it through the danger. But he also didn't like the idea of making waves or disagreeing with someone who was helpful and friendly and just as alone as he was.

And he did want to get out. Would Jansen be scared of a bit of poisonous gas?

No, no he wouldn't, as had been evidenced time and time again. The man had no sense of danger or self preservation. But somehow it always worked out. Perhaps Ted was of that tribe, one of those optimistic men who could dance through life and be carried through unscathed - regardless of how scathed they really ought to be.

But Tolten wasn't one of those types, and he could only frown and look from Ted to the woman who told them not to go out.

Night 56: Entry Room

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